26 Great Scholarships for Vocal Performance Majors

If you are planning a career in music, then landing one of the many scholarships for vocal performance majors available will really give you something to sing about. Whether you are drawn towards vocal performance degree programs to become a professional recitalist, opera singer, musical theater performer, or singing teacher, scholarships can provide the monetary support to reap the intrinsic rewards of following your dreams in the arts. Aspiring singers with outstanding talents but low budgets often worry about covering the tuition expenses of formal college education, but the following are 25 great scholarships that can help vocal performance majors fine-tune their skills without financial stress.

1. Associated Male Choruses of America Scholarships

Deadline: March 1st

Each year, the Associated Male Choruses of America (AMCA) presents multiple scholarships ranging in value from $1,000 to $1,200 each to deserving students of music who will be enrolling full-time in an undergraduate music program in the upper part of the United States. In order to qualify, male candidates should specialize in vocal music studies, be sponsored by a member chorus, submit an official transcript, and provide a performance CD or cassette tape of one song to demonstrate vocal talents.

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2. Astrid Thalheimer Memorial Vocal Scholarship

Deadline: March 10th

Established by the A Cappella Singers in honor of their founder, the Astrid Thalheimer Memorial Vocal Scholarship is granted annually for $500 to graduating high school senior women from the Metrowest area of Boston who plan to pursue a college degree in vocal performance or music education with a vocal concentration. Eligible applicants must prepare two classical pieces with an accompanist or recorded accompaniment to perform at the initial scholarship audition.

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3. Betty Jane Phillips Scholarship Fund

Deadline: February 27th

At Frostburg State University, the Betty Jane Phillips Scholarship Fund will award up to $1,000 annually to full-time or part-time undergraduate students who have declared a music major with a concentration in vocal performance and/or music education. Qualified candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, demonstrate financial need, be involved in departmental and community activities, and exhibit outstanding performance ability by passing an audition.

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4. Bev Sellers Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: January 25th

Within the Young Singers Foundation, the Bev Sellers Memorial Scholarship is offered each year for $2,000 to outstanding undergraduate students at the sophomore level or higher who are enrolled full-time at accredited U.S. institutions with a major in vocal performance. All applicants must submit an official transcript showing a minimum 3.0 GPA, three letters of recommendation, list of musical activities, and an essay describing their aspirations for a musical future.

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5. Carolyn F. Leep Scholarship

Deadline: November 15th

In honor of her 20-year service as the head of the Michigan School Vocal Music Association (MSVMA), the Carolyn F. Leep Scholarship is awarded annually for $1,000 to active members with at least three years teaching experience in Michigan who are pursuing a post-bachelor’s degree in vocal music education, vocal performance, choral music, or choral conducting. Those interested in the scholarship must submit an application and be available for an interview with the selection committee in Grand Rapids.

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6. David Brown Vocal Music Scholarship

Deadline: May 9th

As part of the Community Foundation of Louisville, the David Brown Vocal Music Scholarship is presented for $500 each year to defray college expenses for selected graduating high school seniors in the Youth Performing Arts School (YPAS) Concert Choir. Eligible applicants must be accepted as vocal performance majors at an accredited four-year conservatory college, exhibit financial need, and write a brief 300-word description of their future potential in vocal music.

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7. Elaine C. McNamara Scholarship

Deadline: December 1st

Annually, the Florida Vocal Association (FVA) bestows the Elaine C. McNamara Scholarship for $500 to a first-year incoming freshman in college who is majoring in music education with an emphasis in vocal performance. Qualified applicants must have participated in high school chorus for at least three years, be legal residents of Florida, have maintained a minimum GPA of 3.5 or higher in music courses, and exhibit outstanding leadership in their high school chorus.

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8. Eloise Klersey Basler Vocal Music Scholarship

Deadline: February 15th

In the Department of Music at Coe College, the Eloise Klersey Basler Vocal Music Scholarship is awarded for up to $5,000 annually for first-year incoming freshmen students who enroll in the Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) program with an emphasis in vocal performance or vocal music education. Along with the application, students must include two letters of recommendation, an essay stating personal objectives in vocal music, and music for an accompanist for the audition.

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9. Glenn Miller Scholarship Competition

Deadline: March 1st

In celebration of the music of America’s favorite musical patriot, the Glenn Miller Scholarship Competition is held each year to provide $1,000, $2,000, and $4,000 awards to graduating high school seniors or first-year college students who intend to make vocal music a central part of their future. Chosen finalists will be asked to perform a five-minute concert piece, sight read simple selections, sing technical exercises, and perform a contrasting piece to demonstrate abilities in vocal performance.

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10. Grace Moore Vocal Scholarships

Deadline: Varies

In honor of the famous American soprano born in Tennessee who became a star of the stage, screen, and radio, the Grace Moore Vocal Scholarships are granted for $1,500 annually to first-year freshmen students enrolling in the Bachelor of Music degree program at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Applicants must be Tennessee residents, have graduated from high school in the previous five years, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75, and declare a full-time major in vocal performance.

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11. Isabel W. Sondheim Scholarship

Deadline: March 8th

As an audition-based program created by the Reading Musical Foundation, the Isabel W. Sondheim Scholarship will distribute $1,000 to three extraordinary vocalists in grades 10-12 who reside within Berks County of Pennsylvania. Eligible candidates must plan to attend college or a music conservatory to earn a degree in vocal performance, pay a small audition fee of $20, and perform a song of no more than eight minutes from memorization with an accompanist.

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12. James A. Hyter Vocal Music Scholarship

Deadline: April 1st

Sponsored by the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, the James A. Hyter Vocal Music Scholarship is offered for $2,000 annually to Memphis high school students and college students who are enrolling in a two or four-year music program at an accredited institution. In order to be invited to the audition to perform a classical concert, folk music, and Broadway musical piece, applicants must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and possess vocal talent with a love for music.

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13. Julia Lansford Vocal Performance Scholarship

Deadline: March 7th

At Arkansas State University, the Julia Lansford Vocal Performance Scholarship will grant $3,000 annually to junior or senior-level undergraduate students who have declared a vocal performance major within the Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Music Education degree path. Qualified applicants must be current members of the ASU choir, possess a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 or better, exhibit financial need, and show dedication to the study of vocal music.

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14. Marianne Cornetti Scholarship for Vocal Excellence

Deadline: February 15th

Established in 2004 by the internationally renowned opera singer, the Marianne Cornetti Scholarship for Vocal Excellence is awarded for $2,000 to currently enrolled full-time students at Slippery Rock University who demonstrate the highest level of vocal promise. Candidates must have declared a voice major, be in good academic standing with a minimum 3.0 GPA in all music courses, explain their financial need, and exhibit outstanding potential for success in the music field with their vocal talents.

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15. Mario Lanza Institute Scholarship Program

Deadline: October 4th

In honoring the wishes of the late American tenor and Hollywood movie star of the 1950s, the Mario Lanza Institute Scholarship Program has been established to provide four awards ranging in value from $1,000 to $2,500 annually to talented young singers between the ages of 21 and 28 from the United States and foreign countries. Vocalists must submit proof of age, a statement describing their goals in continuing vocal studies, and perform three opera arias showing their vocal performance abilities.

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16. Michael Jackson Scholarship

Deadline: November 7th

Awarded annually for up to $5,000 through the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), the Michael Jackson Scholarship is designed to lower college expenses for African American students majoring in fine arts, communications, performing arts, drama, visual arts, or vocal performance. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens, have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 or better, be currently matriculated in a participating institution, and demonstrate financial need.

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17. National YoungArts Foundation Scholarships

Deadline: October 17th

For up to $10,000 in funding, the National YoungArts Foundation offers multiple scholarships each year to the nation’s most outstanding young artists ages 15-18 who excel in one of ten artistic disciplines, including cinematic arts, dance, design arts, jazz, music, photography, theatre, visual arts, voice performance, and writing. In addition to monetary awards, recipients will be eligible to receive master classes with world-renowned artists, access to professional contacts, career opportunities, and the chance to perform for top artists in the field.

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18. Nicholas Vrenios Memorial Award

Deadline: October 15th

Each year, the National Opera Association (NOA) grants the Nicholas Vrenios Memorial Award for $2,000 to the first-place winner at the Carolyn Bailey and Dominick Argento Vocal Competition who performed four opera arias in contrasting styles to impress the judges. In order to qualify for the competition, vocalists must be between the ages of 18 and 24, be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate music program, and pay a small $30 entry fee.

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19. Patricia Reber Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: February 21st

In memory of the endless enthusiasm of an original member of the Harrisburg Singers who died in 1999 after inspiring countless vocalists, the Patricia Reber Memorial Scholarship is awarded each year for $1,000 to assist local graduating high school seniors who will be furthering their studies in post-secondary education with a major in music education, music performance, or musical theater. Recipients from Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, or York Counties of Pennsylvania will be chosen after submitting an audition tape.

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20. R. Gordon Hinners Scholarship Fund

Deadline: March 15th

Created by the St. Charles Singers to honor his dedication in serving 40 years as the Music Director, the R. Gordon Hinners Scholarship Fund is open to talented graduating seniors from Batavia, Geneva, Kaneland, Wheaton North, or Wheaton-Warrenville High Schools in Illinois. To qualify for one of the $500 awards, students must be enrolling in an accredited institution, have a minimum 2.0 GPA, have been a member of their high school vocal music program for at least three years, and plan to participate in choir throughout college.

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21. Reichenberger Vocal Scholars Award

Deadline: Varies

At Northwestern Oklahoma State University, the Reichenberger Vocal Scholars Award will offer renewable $1,000 scholarships for four years of undergraduate studies to outstanding first-year incoming freshmen singers who are planning to major in vocal music performance or vocal music education. Applicants must be from Oklahoma, have a minimum high school GPA of 2.5 or better, earn an ACT score of 19 or higher, submit a letter of recommendation from a previous vocal instructor, and participate in a competitive vocal audition.

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22. Rislov Foundation Scholarships

Deadline: Ongoing

Each year, the Sigurd I. & Jarmila H. Rislov Foundation awards multiple scholarships to support the musical studies of exceptional classical vocalists and musicians who demonstrate a high level of future promise. Along with the application, qualified candidates must include proof of current enrollment in a post-secondary education program, a written career plan narrative related to classical music, current resume of experience, and a CD of a short performance.

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23. S. Livingston Mather Scholarship

Deadline: October 10th

Named in honor of a dedicated member of the Singers’ Club of Cleveland until his death in 1960, the S. Livingston Mather Scholarship is awarded annually for $1,500 to male vocalists from northeast Ohio who are enrolled full-time or part-time with a substantial academic load in an accredited undergraduate or graduate music degree program. After submitting an audition audio file by the deadline, 16 finalists will be selected to perform an operatic aria, art song, and a free selection of the singer’s choice for the scholarship committee.

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24. Stand and Be Heard Anthem Singing Contest

Deadline: June 30th

Annually, the National FFA Chorus and the FMC Corporation partner up to host the Stand and Be Heard Anthem Singing Content to provide up to $10,000 to talented vocalists who showcase their patriotic singing skills in performing a song related to agriculture or agribusiness. In addition to the college scholarship, all finalists will receive an all-expense paid trip to Nashville, participate in a recording session with a professional music producer, and have a recorded interview/performance on national television.

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25. Virginia and Susan Hawk Scholarship

Deadline: March 8th

Within the Grossmont Community Concern Association (GCCA), the Virginia and Susan Hawk Scholarship is awarded annually for $3,000 to outstanding vocalists currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree in music from an accredited institution to pursue professional music as a career. Eligible applicants must reside in San Diego or Imperial counties for at least one year, be between the ages of 20 and 35, and perform three vocal pieces from memory at an audition.

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In order to have the highest chance of receiving your dream singing job in the super competitive post-graduation job market, you will need to avoid accumulating mountains of student loan debt by searching for various sources of funding throughout college. Although this list is far from complete, it is recommended that you tune into these local and national scholarships for vocal performance majors to get started on making music a bright part of your future.

26. Singer-Songwriter Music Video Scholarship
Deadline: August 15

This scholarship, sponsored by BudgetHomeTheater.net, invites aspiring singer-songwriters to post a YouTube video of themselves performing an original song. This $1000 one-time scholarship is awarded in the fall. Applicants need not be music majors to apply. Visit the website link below specific application instructions. Link: Singer-Songwriter Music Video Scholarship